Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
TPS status update
Many kababayans continue to send me messages and emails, inquiring about updates on the requested Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the Philippines. Four months after the Philippines was ravaged by Haiyan…
Without a trace
MYSTERY still surrounds the case of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished into thin air (according to radar screens from ground control) while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing…
Electronic gadgets should be banned for kids 12 and below, experts say
MANY of us probably felt guilty, after reading this warning. We think that we are helping stimulate our kids’ mental faculty when we allow them to watch TV or videos…
Beefing up
THE United States and the Philippines have expressed alarm over China’s recent move. On Wednesday, China announced a 12.2 percent increase in its military spending, amounting to $132 billion —…
Putin’s action in Ukraine like Hitler’s – Hillary
AS world leaders discuss options to de-escalate the growing tension between Russia and Ukraine, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made some controversial statements — comparing Putin’s recent move to…
Obama’s Spring Visit to the Philippines Should Produce a Strong Alliance
The US and President Obama should be key partners with the Philippines and President Aquino in demonstrating the benefits of democracy. With one exception, all the Arab nations that have…
Celebrating women
MARCH is International Women’s Month. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women around the world. With the theme: “Celebrating Women of Character,…
No to US involvement in conflict between Russia and Ukraine
WHEN news broke that Russia deployed troops to Ukraine, most Americans (including kababayans) cried “ENOUGH” to wars. They do not want the US to act us “Big Brother” or “Global…
Reinventing Mar
OVER a week ago, Kit Tatad, in his column in Manila Standard Today, wrote about the newly launched program of Malacañang to repair the 2016 presidential bandwagon of Mar Roxas…
Record-breaking
WHEN it comes to contending for world records in the Guinness Book of World Records, the Philippines is always game. Recently, the country (through the Polytechnic University of the Philippines…
You can be sentenced to 20 years in jail for misbehaving in flight
MANY Filipinos in America prefer to fly Philippine Airlines (PAL) when visiting the Motherland, not only because of the shorter travel time, but also because they feel at home flying…
Axe to grind
THE principles behind international law are based upon universally accepted values and moral standards. Today, more and more aspects of regional relations are regulated by international legal norms. They involve…
Does online libel curtail freedom of expression?
IT IS the 28th anniversary of the People Power Revolution — a proud moment in the history of the Filipino people. We commemorate how we toppled the Marcos dictatorship and…
What About Slam Dunk Legislation
I sat through a streaming video coverage of the testimony of Ruby Tuason at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the pork barrel scam. I soon realized that the…
What you need to know about online libel in PH Cybercrime Law
THE Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines just upheld the constitutionality of most parts of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, including the contentious provision that punishes online libel. The…
Repressive law
SINCE its introduction to Filipinos in 1994, the Internet has provided boundless channels for people to exercise their right to know, express and be heard. Article III Section 4 of…
Martinez highlights need for more PH gov’t support in sports
17-YEAR-old Michael Christian Martinez has put the Philippines in the spotlight during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia — ranking 19th in the figure skating competition during his Olympic…
Will Aiza Seguerra and Liza Diño challenge the definition of marriage in PH?
IN the midst of debates about the Obama administration’s policy to grant federal benefits, protection and services to all married same-sex couples in America (equal to those accorded to their…
Phenomenal
Michael Christian Martinez’s may not be bringing a medal home, but in the eyes of his kababayans, he has already achieved a milestone — being the first Filipino-born, the first…
Judgment day
THE world’s population didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, the numbers have since been growing by giant, exponential leaps. The world population has already breached…
Should federal benefits be given to all married same-sex couples in the US?
Last Monday, US Attorney General Eric Holder released a memo which accords the same federal benefits, protection and services to all same-sex couples across the nation — even in the…
‘The Elysium,’ Philippine-style
I saw a movie the other night that reminded me of the Philippines. Elysium, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, is set in the year 2154. It’s about a man-made…
Last push for TPS for PH
IF you are still hoping immigration reform will pass this 2014, you may be in for a big disappointment. In a 180-degree turn from his more optimistic tone in January,…
The ‘American Dream’
SEVERAL developments in immigration occurred this week, beginning with the possibility of raising the cost of acquiring US citizenship, if immigration reform pushes through. The current cost of filing for…
Reparation
IN one of his most remarkable songs, popular singer/songwriter Elton John said that sorry seems to be the hardest word. This is true for most people. A sincere apology is…
Triple victory for Pinoys in the Superbowl
YES, the National Football League championship game last Sunday, February 2, made us all want to snooze as early as the first quarter. The Seattle Seahawks, after all, “butchered” the…
The Elysium, Philippine Style
I saw a movie the other night that reminded me of the Philippines. “Elysium,” starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, is set in the year 2154. It’s about a man-made…